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Nationwide Pet Insurance Review

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Nationwide is a Fortune 100 company with unparalleled financial stability and claims-paying ability that has recently ventured into the pet insurance marketplace.

The company stands out because they offer expanded coverage beyond just cats and dogs, as well as wellness plans that cover things like checkups and vaccinations.
 
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How is Nationwide rated?

Breakdown

5.0/5
Coverage
3.0/5
Cost
4.0/5
Extras

Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5 (Excellent)

Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness Plan is one of the most comprehensive on the market, and it will, as a result, cost you more than most standard pet insurance plans.

Nationwide is one of the few pet insurance providers that will extend coverage beyond dogs and cats, covering birds and all manner of other pets.

Truly unlimited coverage, however, is only offered if you choose the top tier plan.

Be aware that all plans besides Whole Pet with Wellness operate on a benefit schedule.

Nationwide Coverage

Coverage - 5 / 5

Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness plan is a great option for a complete pet insurance plan.

In addition to the normal accident and illness coverage, it also provides for yearly physical exams, vaccinations, and flea/heartworm prevention. It is, however, on the pricey side as a result. Its Major Medical plan is more in line cost and coverage-wise with the standard accident and illness plans offered by most companies.

You can also purchase the wellness plan on it's own, and it is relatively inexpensive. Finally, Nationwide recently released a more inexpensive Whole Pet plan without the wellness component.

This plan has many of the same characteristics of Whole Pet with Wellness, operates on a percentage reimbursement basis, but is subject to different annual caps.

It is interesting to note that Nationwide is the only company we are aware of that extends pet insurance beyond cats and dogs.

The company will cover most birds and a wide range of exotic pets.
Pets Covered
Dogs
Cats
Birds
Exotic Animals
Coverage Types
Medical
Wellness
Vet Selection
Unrestricted
Out-of-State Coverage
Yes
Commercial Pets Covered

Medical Conditions Covered

  • Accidental
  • Illness
  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Accidental Dental
  • Dental Illness

Medical Treatments Covered

  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Alternative Care
  • Behavioral Therapy

Benefit Limits

Benefit Limits - 5 / 5

Both Nationwide models -- Whole Pet with 90% reimbursement, and all other plans with a benefit schedule -- offer unlimited annual maximums. The new Whole Pet plan without wellness, though, is subject to a $10,000 annual cap.

Additionally, you must remember that any plan but the Whole Pets are going to limit you by condition or procedure.

So even though technically there is no limit to the dollar amount they will spend on your pet in a year in total, there are limits on a condition and service basis with the lower two plans.
Benefit Limit Types
Unlimited

Reimbursement & Deductibles

Reimbursement - 5 / 5

Nationwide's top tier Whole Pet with Wellness, as well as the new Whole Pet (alone) plan, both reimburse 90% of the total vet bill.

However, Major Medical and Pet Wellness reimburse according to a benefits schedule.

These schedules cap payouts by condition or service. If you are going with one of these plans we suggest you scrutinize your policy carefully before purchase, as your pet's breed may be susceptible to certain conditions with low coverage limits in the plan.

Benefits schedules, and no choice in customizing the reimbursement percentage in the top tier plan, limit the flexibility of Nationwide's offerings.
Reimbursement Model
Actual Cost
Benefit Schedule
Minimum Percent Reimbursement
90%
Maximum Percent Reimbursement
90%

Deductibles - 5 / 5

Nationwide Whole Pet with Wellness offers one annual deductible of $100.

This is in some ways good because it is so low. But you will not have the flexibility of choosing higher deductibles should you want a lower monthly premium or should it somehow fit your needs in other ways.

Most of our top companies offer customizable deductibles.

The new Whole Pet without the wellness component, as well as the Major Medical plan, both have annual deductibles set at $250.
Deductible Type
Annual
Minimum Deductible Offered
$100
Maximum Deductible Offered
$250

Pricing: How much does Nationwide cost?

Cost - 3 / 5

Nationwide's plans are comprehensive, but you are going to pay the price. Their monthly premiums are a little on the high end as opposed to our other companies.

Starting Monthly Premiums

Dog: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male Golden Retriever in zip code 92683
$34.25
Cat: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male American Shorthair in zip code 92683
$18.84
Rate Details: Annual Deductible: $250, Benefits Cap: Annual & Unlimited, Reimbursement Model: Benefits Schedule
Available Discounts: 5% discount on current Nationwide member

Enrollment & Waiting Periods

Enrollment - 3 / 5

Like our other companies, Nationwide will enroll pets starting at 6 weeks. Unlike our other companies, Nationwide has a relatively lower age restriction with older pets at 10 years.

However, if the pet is enrolled before age 10, and the policy never lapses, they will be covered for the duration of their lives.

Waiting periods are industry standard at 14 days, although Wellness starts 24 hours after approval.
Min Enrollment Age
6 weeks
Max Enrollment Age
10 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
Illnesses Waiting Period
14 days
Free Look Period
10 days

Claims & Service

Extras - 4 / 5

Nationwide's claims procedure is standard for the pet insurance industry.

Like other companies, you must first pay the vet directly, download Nationwide's claim form, and submit the form with all paid invoices. You can submit via mail, fax or email.
Advertised Response Time
14 days
Claim Form
Mail
Email
Fax

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
https://www.petinsurance.com/
Headquarters Address
One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH, 43215
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2344, Brea, CA, 92822
Year Founded
1981
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Customer Comments

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Elizabeth

4/20/2017
If you have a pet who you consider to be a member of your family, pet insurance is a must, and in my experience, there is no better option than Nationwide. I love that I have the confidence of choosing a policy underwritten by a leading insurance company, and that I can count on Nationwide to be there when my pets are sick. There are some scam pet insurance companies out there, so I was glad to go with a company that was more established and that I knew I could trust. Our cat developed asthma and had to spend several nights in the ICU at our local vet hospital, to the tune of a few thousand dollars, not including the followup care and maintenance medication. Nationwide processes our claims... Read More
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Mary P

4/20/2017
Thank you so much for assisting me. You advice and your professionalism was invaluable. Thanks again. Cain is back to his happy good health.
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Mary J

4/19/2017
This insurance has been a God send for my Chow Chow Carmine! I never have to worry about Carmine getting the best medical care possible because Nation Wide is on his side! 🦁
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Stacy

4/19/2017
Nationwide, literally, has been by my side throughout all of my puppy's health issues. The customer service is outstanding and they are always showing concern for her health. They have provided me with peace of mind, every step of the way. I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend Nationwide to any pet owner. They are phenomenal! Thank you, Nationwide!
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lanny h

4/19/2017
Love nationwide....would never have another insurance company cover my pet. I have never been refused one claim,out of 26 requests. They really are " on my side"
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Bob M

4/19/2017
I am very pleased with the coverage that my pet is able to receive with Nationwide Pet Insurance. We have had our puppy for almost a year now, and each claim has been covered exactly as was described to us when we purchased the insurance. The claims are sent in via an app on my phone and response is very quick. Today I received an email from Nationwide regarding my last visit to the vet. They were checking on my puppy to make sure she was feeling better. This, in my mind, is going above and beyond what is expected of them. I appreciate Nationwide and the quality of service they provide.
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Diana

4/19/2017
I live on a retirement fixed income. Nationwide provides me with peace of mind knowing that I can take care of my beloved Bigelow no matter what happens - a well earned five-star rating!
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Kathleen S

4/18/2017
I have a 1 year old puppy that broke it's leg and a cast just wouldn't do it; he had to have orthopedic surgery to have a metal plate implanted in his leg. The cost was nearly $4516 and Nationwide paid $3839.40 in less than 10 days of me emailing my claim. Nationwide is easy to file a claim with, the website gives you everything you need and a quick status of your claim along with email updates about your claim and they are fast to pay you back. I was extremely pleased and shocked at the amount I received back since this was the first major incident with a pet in nearly 15 years of having pets and having insurance on those pets.
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Marvin G

4/18/2017
I've always had pet insurance and like many others, my dog was healthy and vet visits were limited to his annual physical exam. Although my dog is still relatively young I opted for Nationwide's new full protection policy. Thank goodness that I did.. my dog tore his ACL, required many vet visits, to rule out other problems, and eventually required surgery and physical therapy... Nationwide covered 90% of my expenses. Needless to say I cannot recommend them highly enough. SG from NJ
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JoEllen M

4/18/2017
This is JoEllen and Micaiah McIntire, and we'd like to submit a review from our experiences with Nationwide as Nationwide worked along beside us during our 2016/2017. Micaiah (our golden retriever who is only 2 yrs. old) would not even be here as we are so stressed about his cancer on his left rear leg (knee area). Things are going along well with Upstate Veterinary Specialists (Dr. Ian Martinez who was referred to us by Dr. Early at Animal Hospital of North Asheville), and we PRAY that Micaiah's treatments with Upstate Veterinary Specialists in Greenville, SC (this is were Micaiah and I went for 6 days for Micaiah's radiation treatment) and Upstate Veterinary Specialists, here in... Read More
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  • No enrollment or administrative fees
  • Accidents, illnesses & emergency care
  • Most claims are processed within 2 days
  • Flexible premium & deductible options

 

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